Part of the list-open-

[CASSANDRA VALEN]

"What time does the new exhibit get unveiled?" Cassandra asked the driver in the front seat of the limo as she pushed the glass down between her and him. She pulled out the compact in her purse as she waited for him to answer her, a small sigh escaping her ruby red lips.

"In about twenty minutes." He answered as he pulled up to the carpet outside of the museum and put the car into park. Cassandra slid across the seat to make her way to the door that the driver was about to open for her. With one last look into the compact she closed it, shoved it in her purse and offered her hand once the door was pulled open. With a small smile Cassandra stepped out of the vehicle and smiled for the camera photographers and the reporters behind the barrier. It was a usual weekend sight for her; some function invited her for some sort of donation to their cause and Cassandra more than willingly donated. It all depended on the cause of course.

Cassandra posed for a few pictures before she made her way inside the museum and was greeted with a server the minute she stepped inside. She waved away the glass of champagne that was complimentary and shook the hand of the curator as she made her way over to Cassandra.

"How wonderful of you to make it. We'll be unveiling the contemporary piece in about ten minutes. I saved you a seat at the front and then feel free to wander after the showing. All the guests are free to do the same." The bustling brunette smiled to her, posed for a quick photo opp with Cassandra and went off to her next greeting.

Cassandra's brown eyes wavered over the heads of those within the museum to see if anyone she recognized was inside. She would be surprised to see anyone here who wasn't a socialite in the eyes of the public. After another drink offer from a different server, Cassandra took the thing and headed off to her seat at the front of the small stage.

Once she sat she tilted the glass to look at the liquor inside of the flute and then brought it to her nose. A light smell of peach hit her nostrils and a small frown fell upon her lips. Another server made his rounds to collect empty glasses or to refill them and Cassandra gave her full glass back to the server. He looked at her and she at him as she tilted her head to the right to get a good look at him and the expression upon his face. A slight look of confusion danced upon it, but he just shrugged and took off to the next guest.

"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight I am honored to produce to you such a masterpiece." Cassandra's eyes flicked over to the speaker, the same brunette woman she had met on numerous occasions. Her voice high pitched and nervous, Cassandra's eyes continued on their path to linger over those she had seen at other upscale venues. She stopped once she hit the back of the crowd as a figure in black moved out of the room and into the main gallery area. Cassandra's genuine smile was replaced with a fake frozen one as she tried to figure out who it was that darted away so quickly.

A few more seconds passed and her eyes continued on their search of familiar faces before they returned to the speaker who was now looking at her (the lady who was turning in every direction) with keen interest. Cassandra flashed her a quick smile and nodded her head as the lady finished her speech and unveiled the piece of art. Cassandra listened to the 'oh's' and 'ah's' with the same smile upon her face and as soon as she could she stood up and made her way out into the main gallery in search of the quick footed figure.

[CARMINE RIALLI]

Carmine had always loved all forms of art; his recent favorite, or more accurately described as an obsession, was fashion, but he still appreciated the most basic form of art. Although, contemporary art wasn’t a favorite. It seemed as if the “artist” had simply stuck his paintbrush in a can of paint and slung the paint at the canvas. A vibrant red eyebrow raised, and the smallest of smiles spread on the vampire’s face. That had been what Jackson Pollock had done, actually. Carmine hadn’t been the biggest fan of his either, but he would think of a better example.

Taking a sip of wine, Carmine scanned the crowd with his vibrant green eyes, landing on a familiar figure, although not necessarily a figure he wanted to know. Groaning, he downed the last of the wine, placing it back on the waiter’s tray as the man walked by. Cassandra Valen – he wasn’t necessarily shocked to see her there, not much actually shocked the impassive vampire, but that didn’t mean he wanted to deal with her. She was Silas current mortal enemy, but she was also a socialite, as was Carmine. Or, it was part of Carmine’s job to be. Silas was hardly fit to go to any formal social occasions – he was sure to brutally murder or offend - and someone had to keep track of what was going on, along with the ever continuing recruitment. So, here he was, lounging against the back wall, awaiting the revealing of yet another modern art accomplishment. Oh, there it was. Blocks of color. How fascinating. What kindergartener had accomplished this masterpiece? Glancing around at the crowed, he spotted Cassandra doing the exact same thing. Wonderful. Without waiting for the brunette to spot him, Carmine straightened his black jacket, flipped his long hair over his shoulder, and left the presentation room in the middle of the woman’s speech to go out into the main gallery. There had to be something more interesting in there, if not someone to keep his interest for a short period of time. It wasn’t that he was frightened of the female werewolf, he simply didn’t want to deal with her mindless droning about how what Silas was doing was so wrong. Carefully concealed hostility got so boring after awhile.

Carmine reached into his pocket, pulled out his cell phone that did far too much, and dialed number one on his speed dial list. The vampire didn’t answer, obviously. “Cassandra Valen is at the Museum of Contemporary Art, in case you’re interested. I wasn’t sure if you wanted to kill her now or later.” Without saying good-bye, he hung up, looking around at the people in the gallery… “Hmph.” Hands in pockets, looking as if he had just stepped out of a fashion magazine, Carmine continued out of the main gallery into one of the side rooms. It was all but deserted – perhaps the werewolf wouldn’t find him here, or anyone else he didn’t want to speak to. Which was most everyone.

“Huh. What a coincidence.” Carmine found himself face-to-face with a Jackson Pollock. And it still didn’t impress him.

word count: 521
tag: cassandra!
status: complete.
ooc: sorry, still trying to get a hold of him. thought this might be an interesting interaction, though!
[/size]

[CASSANDRA VALEN]

Cassandra was given a few looks but she just smiled and pulled out her cell phone as if to indicate she had a very important call that needed her attention. Not many gave her a second glance because Cassandra Valen was always taking phone calls for something or another.

Once she made her way out of the small gathering and into the open area of the museum. There weren't very many people in the open area of the museum due to the unveiling and speech that was still going on. Still in pursuit of the figure that hastily made their way out of the previous room, Cassandra turned her fixed smile into a small frown. Being a supernatural creature and one as old as she was, Cassandra was used to the types of different smells. Vampires, humans, werewolves all smelled differently and she was certain a vampire was within the museum. Not that she minded as long as they saw things her way.

Cassandra allowed her nose to take her into the direction of the vampire but paused once she saw who it was that her nose had led her to. She knew of him and knew which side he preferred to play on and that meant potential trouble. Cassandra tiled her head to the right to observe the piece he was looking at as she remained far enough behind him.

"I find it interesting that someone of your beliefs..." Cassandra remained focused on the art and not the vampire himself. "Would be found in a location where humans put pieces of life forms into." Cassandra took a few more steps behind the vampire and looked closer at the piece of art work. She lowered her voice so that he could only hear her. "Isn't it interesting; the things humans are capable of?" Cassandra knew that he wouldn't change his point of view on which side, but if she could plant any seed of doubt within the vampire she would be more than happy with herself.

"Ah, well then. No matter." Cassandra took a step back from the male vampire and the piece of art work as she stuffed her phone back into her purse.

"Here to make a contribution to the gallery?" Cassandra tilted her head to look at just the vampire now, noting the random server or human that made their way into the immediate area.

OOC: No worries, it seems like it could be fun

[CARMINE RIALLI]

Oh, great. The werewolf had found him. Carmine sensed, not to mention smelled, her before he actually saw her, his muscles tensing unconsciously underneath his stylish black jacket. He didn’t like an enemy standing behind him where they had a clear line of attack, but he wasn’t going to give her any satisfaction by turning around to face her before she addressed him. He knew she wouldn’t attack him, not in such a public place where she was such a public figure, but he still didn’t like it. Besides, if she wanted to talk to him, she could start the conversation; he had nothing to say to her.

Ah, and start conversation she did. “Just because I see humans as little more than blood banks doesn’t mean that I can’t appreciate it when they do something good. It’s like watching a dog do tricks.” Carmine didn’t truthfully believe that, but if it perturbed the brunette standing far too close to him (Carmine had quite a large bubble), then he would say it. Humans, in Carmine’s opinion, were a step below vampires. They had potential, but they were also… herd like when frightened. They could be incredibly stupid and simple-minded, which is what Silas had realized and had exploited to his advantage. Besides, he would rather be on Silas’s side than any other. “Occasionally, but really… This? This is barely more than sticking a paintbrush in a can of paint and splashing it on the canvas. Boring and mundane, if you want my opinion.” At that, Carmine turned to face his master’s current enemy. Hmm. She looked like she could be dangerous, if she wanted to be. He wasn’t going to offer up that he was quite the fan of fashion, which was mostly a human dominated profession. The humans who thought up those things were worthwhile.

Running his hand idly through his long red hair, the vampire tilted his head slightly. “I already have. It’s going to be used to open the new wing of the gallery, or so they told me. I believe it will focus on art during the second World War, although I don’t remember there being much art around that time.” Carmine had been with Silas in Nazi Germany at that time, and art certainly hadn’t been on the minds of the people there. Parties had, though. Carmine had attended more parties then than he ever had before, even in his human life. “Have you already made your contribution?”

The redhead watched as the server nervously approached the pair; he seemed smarter that most humans, or he sensed more. The man knew that he was approaching two not-so-human creatures. “Thank you,” Carmine said, taking the offered wine and then watching as the server darted out of the room quickly after offering Cassandra a drink as well. “I don’t believe we’ve been formally introduced yet,” the vampire said, ever polite, holding out his hand. “I am Carmine Rialli, and you are?”

word count: 495
tag: cassandra
status: complete
ooc: xD yeah, that's what I thought too!

[CASSANDRA VALEN]

Cassandra listened to what the vampire had to say and she couldn't help but flinch inwardly as he mentioned dogs doing tricks. She wasn't certain if he was trying to suggest anything, so Cassandra just looked for the littlest of suggestions that pulled on his face or eyes. He continued to talk as he was turned towards the painting, almost indicating he wasn't intimidated or bothered by her presence. He had every right to feel like he had the upper hand because in no way was Cassandra going to start a fight amongst the eyes of the public.

When he turned to her it was here that Cassandra finally got a good look of the vampire. Sure, she had seen him before at other places, mostly at the side of Metzger doing his bidding like a good lap dog, but never this close. Cassandra had to admit that she was a little surprised when he admitted to donating to the museum let alone enough to be used for something useful. That was until she heard him mention the second world war and a small smile filled her face again. No surprise that they would contribute to something that killed thousands upon thousands; after all they were trying to do the same thing practically.

"Of course. I thought that my money would be best situated in restoring and preserving paintings found or donated. Just one more thing to save." Cassandra slid that last sentence in with a shrug and a small smile.

Cassandra paid little attention to the server, she smelled him approaching before she heard him. The scent of the wine also danced in the air, mixing his scent, the vampires and the wine into some larger unknown scent that licked at her nostrils. Once the glass was given to her, she swirled it around while she listened to the introduction of the red headed vampire. She knew who he was of course, but he was right. They never truly gave the other their name, but she knew that he knew all about her and of course her name.

Her eyes looked at his offered hand before she took it with the one that was not holding the flute that was handed to her by the over sensitive human. Normally she would give her name of just Cass, but no need to here. She couldn't pretend to be nothing important, not with whom he was.

"No, we have not. Cassandra Valen." She closed the space between the two of them by sliding her hand into his. It was a pity he was on the wrong side; he seemed polite and genuinely nice. Too bad that when they met in a less than public place their encounter would not be like this one.

"Shall we move on?" Cassandra moved her head to the left, indicating that people were coming out to the larger part of the museum now.
"Unless you have to leave? Would be a pity to miss out on the rest of the gallery, but I know you're a very busy man." Cassandra took a step away from the vampire and made her way to the opposite wall to look at a different piece of art displayed.

[CARMINE RIALLI]

Oh, goodie. She was comparing her contribution to the gallery to her “saving” of mankind. How fitting. “Restoration and preservation, how useful,” Carmine commented idly, checking to make sure his immaculate nails were still immaculate.

The redhead stared impassively at the werewolf while she contemplated taking his hand or not. It wasn’t as if he wanted to touch a furry, and he was sure she felt the same way about a bloodsucker, but it was the polite thing to do. They may be enemies, but they were at a social function. Societal etiquette had to be followed at all times when at a gathering such as this – which was why Silas was not here. Carmine couldn’t be completely sure, but he could guess that if his vampire master had spotted Ms. Valen, he probably would have killed her in the show room without a second thought. And Carmine would be the one left cleaning up the mess he left behind. It would be a media nightmare, and Silas simply didn’t understand that they needed people, albeit brainwashed to an extent (whether by mind powers or their own stupidity), on their side. Or, perhaps he did know, and just really didn’t care. It was probably the latter.

Their hands met briefly and then Cassandra was asking him if he wanted to view the rest of the exhibit. Carmine was quiet for a moment as he contemplated his options. He was quite ready to go, having done what he had come here to do and more, but perhaps… Perhaps Silas would want him to stay and keep track of the leader of the resistance for a little while. What if Silas received his call and decided to pay a visit to the museum himself? Carmine was in no real danger here; he doubted Cassandra had any of her resistance goons waiting outside to ambush him; she hadn’t known he was going to be here after all. He made his decision – he would stay for awhile, wait for Silas’s call, and observe the brunette carefully while he did so. Perhaps he would find some flaw, weakness, although he sincerely doubted it. They both had their highest guard up with a mask of civility hiding it.

“I am free enough to view a few more works of art,” he replied calmly, following her to another of the paintings.”I would assume it was you who was the busy one, being the leader of the” - he resisted the urge to say losing side – “opposing side, of my own, that is.” His green-eyed gaze moved over the werewolf’s head to the painting she was viewing. “Not particularly impressive, is it?” He moved on without waiting for her comment, although he was close enough at the next painting to hear it. “This one isn’t either. Perhaps another gallery? Lady’s choice, of course.”

word count: 475
tag: cassandra
status: complete

[CASSANDRA VALEN]

Cassandra said nothing as he snidely remarked about her contribution to the gallery, but gave him the satisfaction of a smile that seemed almost empty on her face. Cassandra knew that their opinions on humanity and the use of humans was something they would never see eye to eye on, but she had to remain civil even though she wanted to gnaw his face off.

Carmine paused as he thought about her offer, but that didn't keep Cassandra from moving on to another picture. She wanted to show him that she wasn't bothered one way or another if he stayed or left the museum. When he stated that he would stay, Cassandra just nodded her head and kept looking at the picture. He would be behind her for who knew how much time, but she wasn't concerned about it. They both seemed as if they were happy keeping up pretenses, which was smart for the vampire.

"I make it my business and effort to stay informed of human relations. I guess we both have surprised the other this evening." Cassandra just nodded and shrugged at his opinion of the piece of art. While she agreed with him, she wouldn't state her opinion on the artist's work because she didn't want him to know that they actually agreed on something.

When Carmine suggested moving on, Cassandra nodded her head and looked at the walls that pointed to different places within the building. Each stated what arrow went were and she went for the location that was the furthest away. Few would bother with it because it wasn't very popular and it was far from the action going on tonight.

"Spanish photography." Not that Cassandra was interested in it, but she knew that eventually one would get on the others nerves and that didn't need to be seen by any of those within the museum. Cassandra clutched her small hand bag in her hand tighter as she made her way to the direction of the Spanish photography indicated by the arrows. Cassandra rounded the corner and paused as if waiting politely for Carmine to walk with her. While her body actions indicated that, her mind was thinking full speed on other things. When he caught up with her, she lowered her voice so that he could only hear her again. Not that anyone was around really, but she just didn't need nor want her business spread around.

"You're rather good at pretending to care. Is that a trait of a new and young vampire or are all of you like this before Sila's brain washes you?" Cassandra stated blandly, the forced smile still upon her face.
"Why are you really here?" Cassandra looked Carmine in the eyes as her own set narrowed awaiting his answer.

[CARMINE RIALLI]

Those arrows, the ones pointing to different places in the museum, were highly garish. No doubt the people who had put them there considered them “contemporary,” but if the people visiting this museum were stupid enough not to know where they were going by a simple list, then they really should be locked up somewhere where they couldn’t bother the rest, more intelligent, population. But that was just a side note as Carmine followed his master’s enemy down the echoing hallway, slowly getting emptier as they made their way farther back into the museum where few people found anything of interesting. Indeed, Spanish photography seemed like a random choice, but Carmine simply assumed that it was time for them to have their “talk” or whatever came from awkward meetings such as this.

When they rounded the corner entering the exhibit, Cassandra came to a halt, as if waiting for him. He had been a couple steps behind her and quite easily closed the distance. “Am I? I’ll take that as a compliment. Usually the complaint is that I don’t seem to care enough. And while I suppose by the standpoint of all time I am relatively young, I assume even to you, I am not young enough or weak enough to be brainwashed by Silas. At least, not easily. All of his followers know what is going on and willingly follow him.” He stated all of this matter-of-factly, glancing down at the werewolf beside him. Although, he took a moment to ponder the second question. How many good sarcastic and philosophical remarks came to mind, but he resisted. The truth was probably the best insult.

“I assume what you’re doing here. Attempting to promote your cause. I come to these social benefits to cover the political side of our movement. Nothing more, nothing less. I am certainly not stalking you, if that’s what you think. The resistance is hardly an issue to Silas, but if you get in our way, or perhaps attack me now, it will become an issue.” It was more than Carmine usually said, and he felt quite… wordy at the moment. One thing he never wanted to be was one of those people who went on and on about unimportant things. At least what he was blabbing about was important.

Then again, this whole exchange was starting to bore him. What were they going to do? Bad mouth each other? Attack each other? This meeting had grown even more pointless than it had been to start with. “Are we simply going to go back and forth like this all night or is something going to happen? Do you want a meeting with Silas, because I could arrange that.” Carmine was quite ready to leave, but he figured he’d be nice about it. Kind of.

ooc: I thought Silas might join, but I don't think that's going to happen. Sorry for the delay!